Furloughed federal employees in the Washington, DC Metro Area are being offered free food and other services during the government shutdown, in a rare case of comeuppance---and some are making members of Congress pay double.

From cookies to pulled pork sandwiches to free classes at gyms to burn off said pulled cookies and pulled pork sandwiches, government employees are being treated well by local businesses.

Oh, and there are ample ways to drink off the pain, too-from glasses of sherry to pints of Coors Lite.

A synagogue is even operating "Shutdown Central", and offering "Political Ping Pong, bipartisan board games, reading materials, constant streaming of 'The West Wing'," as well as free coffee, food and WiFi.

CNN reports that the following businesses are offering free food or services to government employees.

FOOD & DRINKS:

         The Daily Dish in Silver Spring is offering free cups of coffee to all government workers throughout the shutdown; no purchase required. But members of Congress pay double.

         Mockingbird Hill is offering a free glass of sherry to federal employees who show their ID as long as the shutdown lasts.

         Pork Barrel BBQ is offering all government employees -- well, except members of Congress -- a free pulled pork sandwich each day of the shutdown. You must have a government ID.

         Show your government ID at Sprinkles for a free cupcake Tuesday.

         Taylor Gourmet is offering furloughed federal workers a "10 percent discount, career counseling and a cookie" with the purchase of any hoagie or salad.

         Furloughed federal government and D.C. government workers can get a free burger at Z-Burger locations in Arlington, Columbia Heights, Southwest and Tenleytown. The burgers will be offered every day of the shutdown from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 5 until 7 p.m. You must show your government ID.

         On Tuesday starting at 7 p.m., Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor will have $3 Coors Light Drafts and $5 Well Drinks. Shutdown-fueled deals will continue Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. There's no cover for the dueling piano show through Friday.

         Anyone with a government ID can get three free empanadas with any purchase at Sophie's Cuban DC on Thursday, Oct. 3.
 

         L&B's Sports Bar in Woodbridge, Va., is giving out free pizza at lunchtime for all furloughed workers.

ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES:

         Balance Gym is offering free access to those with valid government IDs during the hours of 1 to 4 p.m. at all three locations.

         Fibre Space in Alexandria is offering free knitting lessons to federal workers with ID from 1 to 5 p.m. every workday during the shutdown. Basic materials are as low as $5 for needles and $10 for yarn if you need them.

         Sixth and I Historic Synagogue is opening "Shutdown Central" for the duration of the shutdown. Anyone can come in for "Political Ping Pong, bipartisan board games, reading materials, constant streaming of 'The West Wing'." Free coffee, food and WiFi will also be provided. 

         Looking to relieve some stress? Potomac Pilates is offering two free classes to furloughed federal employees. Click here for more information.

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